Will tobacco be criminalized and marijuana legalized?

While tobacco users have been thoroughly ostracized and essentially relegated to second-class status over the past decade, a push to legalize marijuana is crackling like dry stems under foot.

While tobacco users have been thoroughly ostracized and essentially relegated to second-class status over the past decade, a push to legalize marijuana is crackling like dry stems under foot.Already legal for medicinal purposes in 18 states and our nation's capital, last fall Colorado and Washington voted in its use for recreation purposes. And some say it's about high time.And here on conservative Tobacco Road a bill has been proposed to legalize marijuana for medicinal use. It is not, however, expected to gain steam, according to pundits. The domino effect inevitably comes into play when states begin to approve controversial measures. At some point they will all give it a thumbs-up.Are we looking at a future where marijuana is legal and tobacco is not? It does seem likely.Earlier this month the Wall Street Journal reported the FDA is investigating the merits of banning menthol cigarettes. According to reports, anti-smoking groups claim that the menthol brands are enticing to adolescent smokers and are targeting African-Americans.It looks to be a house of cards for tobacco companies. After menthols are banned, it seems plausible that non-filter smokes would be the next to go, then finally all tobacco products.We've come a long way, baby! A polar switch, in fact, from a time when smoking was tolerated, if not accepted. Ash trays were conveniently placed on end tables and coffee tables in homes. Cigarette smokers were routinely depicted on the big screen and TV commercials. Even basketball coaching legend Dean Smith was shown now and again with a butt between his fingers.And pot was known to be the gateway to hell.To be sure, we are not condoning the use of tobacco. Campaigns within mass media have brought forth a more health-conscious society and healthier culture. There was a time when we were unaware of the dynamic health risks, from nicotine addition to the realization that tobacco is also saturated with various chemicals during its growth stages.But still our addiction to tobacco is only matched by Europe's where the non-filtered brands are most popular.We hope history has taught us something, but we envision another era of Prohibition, this one where tobacco is the target. Can you visualize backwoods tobacco producers, reminiscent of moonshiners? We learned that Prohibition doesn't work. It creates burgeoning crime rates and lost tax revenues. When the public is determined to engage in any certain widespread behavior, laws see little obedience. We may be better served to allow people to select their vices at their own risk.What will be worse, though, is a stoned society claiming medical needs. Do our jails have room?